Joe Avento

Every time Science Hill took the lead, Shannon Stroud had an answer.Stroud scored three second-half goals Tuesday night, helping the Dobyns-Bennett girls’ soccer team salvage a 3-3 tie with the Hilltoppers in a Big Seven Conference match at Kermit Tipton Stadium.“I have no doubt in my mind if we had five or 10 more minutes, we would have come out on top,” Science Hill coach Megan Harmon said. “The good thing is we know we’ll meet them again.”The result left Science Hill 3-4-1 overall, 3-0-1 in the conference. D-B is 8-1-3, 3-0-1.The Hilltoppers scored in the the 19th minute when Hannah Torbett redirected Megan Lich’s corner kick into the goal.It was the only goal in a defensive first half during which Science Hill out-shot D-B 5-3.D-B coach Blake Rutherford moved Stroud from the right side to the left to open the second half, a move that saved the night for his team.“I told them there were definitely opportunities and tactical changes we could make,” Rutherford said. “I thought they were ripe for the picking. Shannon Stroud came out in the second half ... Lord, have mercy.”The Indians didn’t waste any time getting the equalizer when Stroud scored 27 seconds into the second half. The junior forward took a pass from Erin Burkett, dribbled up the left side and drilled a shot into the goal.D-B’s lead didn’t last long as Grace Browder scored from 35 yards out a minute later to put Science Hill back up, 2-1.Stroud equalized again four minutes later when she scored from a tough angle on the left side. Three goals were scored in the first six minutes of the second half.“Any time Science Hill and D-B match up, you know you just have to wait for that time because you know it’s gonna happen,” Harmon said. “Tonight, it happened as soon as the second half opened up. It was just back and forth, and that’s how it always is when we match up together.”With 10:54 left, Science Hill’s Devin Fry ran onto a perfect through ball from Torbett and knocked it home for a 3-2 lead.Stroud struck again from the left side with 5:10 remaining for the final goal of the night.“What a great second half,” Rutherford said. “I told the girls this was not the result we wanted coming in, but given the situation and the circumstances, a 3-3 draw and that kind of back-and-forth action ...What a great football match to watch.”The Hilltoppers out-shot D-B 12-9 and caused all kinds of trouble against the Indians’ back line, something their coach was glad to see.“They really were connecting passes,” Harmon said. “They were making beautiful balls to each other in space. They were taking advantage of their opportunities. And when you play teams like D-B, you don’t get that many.”